HUNDREDS of Poole residents lined the streets for the Broadstone Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 3. 

The parade, which lasted nearly an hour, featured lots of local groups including the Bournemouth Carnival Band, Legacy Dance Academy, Broadstone Pantomime, Trailway Tots Preschool and the Pirates of Poole.

Councillor Vikki Slade said: “It was an excellent event - we had Deadpool, Spider-Man, Jack Sparrow, Santa, The Grinch, Morris dancers and every Christmas themed entry you can think of. Plus the musical market for shopping, festive music and charity giving.”

Prior to the parade there was live music from one of Broadstone's local choirs, Sing and Grin, the trumpet sounds of Harry Bassett, all ladies choir, Cantalina, the entertainment of John Springett, singer songwriter Jack Rideout and the Sodapops who made everyone feel Christmassy in time for the parade.

There were also more than 25 craft, community and charity stalls and local businesses who took part in the Musical Market, including food and drink from Oakley Village Butchers, Griffs family butchers, the Tap and Grape, the Blackwater Stream and Whittles.

The parade began at 1.30pm led by a fire engine and Christmas characters on motorbikes.

A variety of groups followed including scouts, brownies, bands, sports teams, schools and theatre productions.

The participants collected donations for charity from crowds along the way.

The parade started in Story Lane at 1.30pm and worked its way along the Broadway before returning to Story Lane via Dunyeats Road.

A spokesperson from the Broadstone Christmas Parade said on Facebook: “We hope everyone enjoyed today's parade.

“A huge thank you to the committee, volunteers, businesses, marshals that helped it take place.”

This year the organisers of the Broadstone Christmas Parade worked with Corfe Mullen FoodBank to gather donations.

From 2.15pm to 3pm on Santa was in his grotto outside of The Methodist Church meeting children and collecting food donations.

Corfe Mullen Food Bank can also be found on ‘Bank the Food’ app, which shows users what food the charity needs.